Dawn Marullo called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Dawn began the meeting by sharing a confidential memo from President Miller and Karl Mosch to the Hartwick College Board of Trustees. President Miller and Karl Mosch are recommending that the Hartwick College Board of Trustees transition away from Division I men's soccer and athletic scholarship supported women's water polo. The Board of Trustees will meet and vote at the end of the week, and a formal announcement of the outcome will take place on Monday.

MinutesDecember 4, 2007 meeting minutes - Mike Haehnel asked that the minutes reflect that the Staff Sub-Group for Middle States is committed to sharing results of their research with Staff Council. Shirley Georgia made a motion to approve the December minutes with the amendment. Judy Walsh seconded the motion. The December minutes stand approved.

January 8, 2008 meeting minutes - Colleen Seabury will revise the minutes to state that the giveaway item for employees has been tabled as opposed to "tabled until next month." Colleen also asked for feedback regarding the order of her meeting minutes (should the minutes reflect the order of items as listed on the agenda or should they be written in the order that the discussions take place). From this point forward Colleen will compose the minutes to reflect agenda items in the order that they are addressed during the meeting. Dawn Marullo made a motion to approve the January minutes with the amended sentence. Judy Walsh seconded the motion. The January minutes stand approved.

Executive Session. Staff Council moved into executive session at 9:11 a.m. to discuss selection of employees for the Staff Recognition Awards.

Staff Council meeting resumed at 9:20 a.m.

New BusinessMiddle States Review: "People" Working Group update - Mike Haehnel shared that the staff survey has not been launched yet, but staff should receive word about it soon. Mike thanked Staff Council members for their pilot survey feedback. The Staff Sub-Group is continuing to work with data that has already been collected, and next month the group should be able to share conclusions in some areas (such as retention) with Staff Council. Mike said that the group has slowed down somewhat due to the Presidential Search.

Executive Session. Staff Council moved into executive session at 9:25 a.m. to continue discussion of Staff Recognition Awards.

Staff Council meeting resumed at 9:36 a.m.

Updates from Committees

Planning & Events - Shirley Georgia shared that the Mardi Gras Luncheon will take place this upcoming Friday. Over 130 people are expected to attend. Tammy Babcock will give a count of Cabinet Members and Trustees to Meg Shivers. Shirley is not sure what the menu will be yet. Mardi Gras beads will be available on the tables. Various prizes (including gift certificates) will be given out. After the Mardi Gras King and Queen are selected then the Staff Recognition Awards will be presented. The King and Queen will choose the winning shoebox float.

Executive Session. Staff Council moved into executive session at 9:41 a.m. to continue discussion of Staff Recognition Awards.

Staff Council meeting resumed at 9:47 a.m.

Old BusinessProposed addition to by-laws: meeting attendance requirement - Matt Stever proposed the following addition to the Staff Council by-laws:

HCSC members are required to attend a minimum of 7 meetings per cycle. In March, the nominations & elections committee will review attendance for the previous cycle. For HCSC members in their first term who have not met the attendance requirement, their seat will become open during spring elections.

Shirley Georgia needed to leave the meeting, but she suggested that at a future meeting Staff Council should review the current by-law wording regarding term length for divisional members.

After discussion about the minimum number of meetings required and wording of the proposed by-laws, the following version was proposed:

HCSC members are required to attend a minimum of 7 meetings per cycle. In March, the Nominations & Elections Committee shall review attendance for the current cycle. For HCSC members in their first term who are deemed not to have met the attendance requirement, their seat shall become open during spring elections.

Carla Kinser made a motion to approve this meeting attendance requirement to the Staff Council by-laws. A unanimous vote was recorded. The meeting attendance requirement to the Staff Council by-laws stands approved.

AdjournmentThe next Staff Council meeting is Tuesday, March 4th at 9:00 a.m. in Eaton Lounge.